Department of Health and Human Services
 

Better Ways to Cope

Better Ways to Cope is a community-centered, harm reduction and substance misuse prevention campaign powered by Community Access to Recovery Services. This multi-faceted movement is designed to increase access to information and resources for reducing overdose deaths, preventing substance misuse disorder and increasing healthy coping choices.  


Apply for Your Harm Reduction and Prevention Vending Machine

Vending Machines That Contain Deterra Deactivation Pouches, Medication Lock Bags, Gun Locks, Nasal Narcan, Fentanyl Test Strips

Milwaukee County has seen nearly a 60 percent increase in overdose deaths from 2016 to 2020, with 545 deaths recorded in 2020. In 2021, fentanyl was found in 508 of 644 drug overdose deaths. Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin. People often are not aware of the presence of Fentanyl in the substances they are using. These unfortunate statistics reinforce the importance of distributing harm reduction and prevention resources to Milwaukee County residents.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), harm reduction is critical to keeping people who use drugs alive and as healthy as possible. Behavioral Health Services of Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services will partner with Vivent Health’s Lifepoint program and HRI Vending to increase Milwaukee County residents’ access to harm reduction and prevention via vending machines located in businesses and public buildings across Milwaukee County.

Our goal is to have a vending machine in all 19 Milwaukee County municipalities. Interested parties are encouraged to complete this application to host a vending machine as a free resource for residents in their local communities. Applications are due March 31, 2023.

Eligible Applicants

  • Gas station
  • Motel/hotel
  • Library
  • Private firm
  • Store
  • Restaurant
  • School/university
  • Religious organization
  • Government agency
  • Community health center
  • Food pantries
  • Not-for-profit organizations
  • Healthcare providers
  • Educational institutions
  • Faith organizations
  • Private businesses
  • Any entity with a significant public reach in the areas of Milwaukee County most significantly impacted by the opioid epidemic

Program contact: Jeremy Triblett, Prevention Coordinator | Email | (414) 335-1460

Apply Now


Ways to Cope

Learn more about ways for adults and youth to cope with life's demands. 

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Ways to Quit

Learn more about how to begin your recovery journey.

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  Where can adults go for substance misuse and mental health support?

Gateway To Change | Website | Phone

UMOS | Phone | Website | Email

MKE Overdose Prevention | Website | Email

Fresh Start Learning, Inc. | Email | Website 

The Benedict Center | Women's Harm Reduction Program | Sister Program | Womens Reentry 

Meta House | Residential Treatment | Outpatient Treatment | Recovery Community

Power for Change, LLC | Website | Phone

Access Clinic | Website Clinic South (Phone) | Clinic East (Phone

Wisconsin Community Services (WCS) | Webpage |  Phone

Milwaukee County Crisis Intervention Services | Website | Phone

Community Linkage & Stabilization Program (CLASP) | Phone

First Step Community Recovery Center (Detox) | Website | Phone | Email

Community Access to Recovery Services (CARS) 

CARS at Milwaukee County | 9455 W Watertown Plank Rd

Website | Phone

CARS at IMPACT | 6737 W Washington St

Website | Phone

CARS at M&S Clinical Services | 2821 N Vel R Phillips Ave, Ste 210 

Website | Phone

CARS at Sirona Recovery | 205 W Highland Ave, Ste 201

Website | Phone

CARS at Wisconsin Community Services | 3732 W Wisconsin Ave, Ste 330

Website | Phone


 

Hear from experts on tips and strategies for maintaining and improving overall mental health. 


Primary Prevention Training

Each month, the TTJ Group, LLC will facilitate two-hour virtual trainings designed to equip Milwaukee County residents with strategies for reducing drug misuse and increasing healthy coping methods. These interactive and highly engaging trainings are the perfect place for non-profit organizations, educators, youth development professionals and community organizers to learn the art and science of preventing adults and youth from becoming dependent on substances.

"Hi, I'm Tracy Johnson! I founded the TTJ Group, LLC to promote public health by collaborating with communities to create and provide innovative and culturally appropriate services on a national level. Our TTJ consultants have over 75 training consultants which include our direct in-house consultants as well as our network of content consultants who have worked with prevention programs nationally and are specialists in substance abuse disorder prevention, and public health."

Sign Up

Administrative Capacity Building Training   

Each month, Rashidah Butler-Jackson will facilitate 90-minute virtual training designed to equip small and minority lead non-profit leaders with tools to build more efficient and effective non-profits. This capacity-building training series will allow participants to grow and develop themselves and their organizations through conversation around fiscal agent relationships, storytelling, grant proposal writing, budgets and more.

"Hi, I’m Rashidah! I am certified in nonprofit management & leadership with 12+ years of nonprofit experience. I am also the founder of RBJ Community Consulting. RBJ Community Consulting is a consulting company for Milwaukee-based community organizations and social entrepreneurs that is dedicated to helping organizations and employees reach their full potential. Through our services, we sharpen your organization’s strengths, assist in fostering a more collaborative work environment and deepen your ties to the community."

Sign Up

 


 

Funded Agencies

The following non-profit organizations lead Better Ways to Cope campaigns in partnership with BHS Community Access to Recovery Services. 

They are leading substance misuse prevention initiatives across Milwaukee County that include: 

  • Ongoing networking activities and technical assistance to community groups, coalitions and prevention agencies
  • Investing in alternative activities and promoting them as a safe place for youth and adults to have fun without drugs
  • Facilitating evidence-based and evidence-informed presentations
  • Leading the dissemination of primary prevention supplies and information across Milwaukee County

24-Hour Crisis Line
(414) 257-7222

Call now if you believe you or a loved one is experiencing a crisis.

MILWAUKEE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

1220 W. Vliet St.

Suite 301

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53205

Our Vision

Together, creating healthy communities.

Our Mission

Empowering safe, healthy, meaningful lives.

Our Values

Partnership, Respect, Integrity, 

Diversity, Excellence

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